Tweets,
Regarding the choice of food for owls, I would be curious in ideas on how
one might see a preference. The question outside a lab setting appears to
be one that is chasing its own tail. The question asks "given the choice"
well depending on the habitat a certain species of owl prefers there is
going to be a pre-determined preference of the species present there.
Shrews are highly restricted in their habitat, again depending on the
species as to which specific habitat. So it appears that given the habitat
the owl is in (a predetermined evoloutionary choice) the mammal choice is
already been made. In my opinion owls or any other predator choose the
prey that is easiest to get. I have looked in many Barn Owl pellets and
the predominant species I find in them is Microtus sp. skulls. This is
typical because they hunt over fields where Microtus is very common.
Between shrews and mice though one should specify the mouse species, are
you referring to deer mouse or house mouse or another species?
Regarding the Snowy Owl: Many times seen, closest is probably about 50m
away on Damon Pt.
Peregrine:Many times, closest probably about 25m. More cool in my opinion
was the time that we were up in Samish Flats and had a Gryfalcon on a Tele
pole right above the car, able to view it through the sunroof.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA

"Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood